He started the season as a third of Nebraska's big three, but Jared Crick's senior season never got rolling.

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Crick suffered a head injury early and then a season-ending tear of his pectoral muscle was a tough way to finish his collegiate career. Crick knows, though, that he has a bright future thanks to his time in Lincoln.

Right now, the defensive tackle is looking forward to the NFL draft.

"I heard some things. I have heard first-round to high third-round, so no one really knows anyway, so I am not listening to anything anyone says," Crick said.

His doctors said Crick is close to being 100 percent healthy.

"I am getting a lot better. I'm not 100 percent yet, but I am getting there," he said. "I am feeling stronger every day. I have to keep going slow, but moving forward I expect to be 100 percent by the combine and ready to go."

Crick is one of four Huskers invited to the NFL combine, which begins for defensive linemen on Feb. 24. Heading into his senior season, the Cozad native was a projected first-round pick. Now he will have to prove to the scouts that his torn pectoral muscle is not a problem.

"I am expecting to sit in an MRI machine an entire day to get all of the tests done, but if I am 100 percent, I have nothing to worry about, so that is the goal. I just have to prove to everybody that I am 100 percent healthy as far as the pec goes."

Despite missing most of the 2011 season, the former Husker was able to use the time to his advantage. He spent nearly all of his free time in the film room with coach Bo Pelini learning the ins and outs of several NFL defenses.

"It's something that just can't be replaced and I thank coach Bo for that until the day I die," Crick said. "Hearing what he has to say definitely gives you a new outlook on what you have to do in the future."

The defensive standout said it's tough to move forward without looking back, and for a Nebraska native growing up with the Big Red, Crick's Husker experience was more special than most.

"I represented the University of Nebraska the right way during my time and I hope people from Nebraska will be proud of me, but it's been fun and you can't trade anything like this for the world," Crick said.